, 01.09.2018 10:15 AM

Ten reasons why Oprah would be a great candidate

Besides the weather, it’s all anyone is talking about: her speech at that awards thing was a blockbuster.

Personally, I think it’s a cool idea. Here’s ten reasons why.

1. If a corrupt, evil, mentally unfit TV billionaire could win, then a principled, decent, smart TV billionaire could certainly beat him.

2.  She would be a candidate at the precise moment when women are dominating the public and political agenda, and are looking for a candidate who will speak for them.

3.  She uses her celebrity in positive ways – to oppose bullying thugs (cf. Trump) and to promote great leaders (cf. Obama, the anti-Trump).

4.  The most motivated Democratic constituency – as we saw in Alabama – is African-American women.  An Oprah candidacy would keep them motivated and involved.

5.  She actually has a legislative record – cf. The Protect Our Children Act, an anti-predatory bill that became known as the Oprah Act.  She gets stuff done, even as a private citizen.

6.  She’s likeable and relatable, to say the least.  She didn’t get millions upon millions of viewers, and build a communications empire, by being a repellant reality TV circus act – she did it by being a person average folks want to bring into their living rooms, every single day.  As they did.

7. Does she have many years of political involvement?  No, she doesn’t, and so what.  In an era when many voters, on all points on the ideological spectrum (see: Trump and Sanders) are looking for atypical/outsider candidates, Oprah’s distance from Capitol Hill is a help, not a hindrance.

8.  She may be a billionaire, but she comes from humble roots – the child of an unwed mother in Mississippi, a survivor of sexual abuse, she was an honours student who could recite Bible verses off the top of her head.  She pulled herself up by her bootstraps.  And, she’s Oprah, for Chrissakes.

9.  She is unique, in that she is one of the few Weinstein-era celebrities who has retained her moral authority.  At a time when America is turning its lonely/anxious eyes to a Joe DiMaggio, Oprah is Joe DiMaggio.  She’s Poprah.

10.  She can win.  She can win.  Whether Trump is there or not – felled by Mueller or resigning to head off a post-midterm impeachment – she can beat him, just as she can beat the unholy cabal of Pence, Ryan et al.  She can win.

So, to those nay-sayers, objecting to my ten points here or on Facebook or Twitter, I say this:

If not Oprah, then who?  Who is the Democratic alternative?

22 Comments

  1. Luke says:

    Didn’t watch the awards, as usual. And I generally find Oprah annoying on account of her narcissistic magazine covers, and her having unleashed that idiot Dr. Phil upon the world.

    However, I generally have a pretty good level of respect for her, for most of the reasons your mention. I agree that she would be quite a candidate in these times. Would be very interesting.

  2. Sean McLaughlin says:

    I like what I’ve seen so far from Kamala Harris, but on the latter question it seems like poll time, no?

    As fun as it is to talk about as a what if, the Oprah thing is just not a good idea for her or the country.

    It would be a great shame to see such an impressive, accomplished woman turn 40% of the country against her automatically just by declaring her candidacy. She’s too good to get pulled down into the muck like that.

    I also hate the idea that we’re moving in a direction where fame/brand trumps all and a clear platform, experience, track record and party loyalty are hardly relevant when selecting a candidate for higher office. So Kid Rock v. Kanye West in 2028? Idiocracy is looking more like a prophecy than a parody.

  3. Ned Ludd says:

    That any President really has any real say in what actually happens as far as policy goes is a fallacy. I rooted for Obama….I honestly believed his mantra of hope and change.
    Nothing changed.
    As nothing has changed under Trump.
    The US continues to meddle in every other countries business, the arms dealers are delighted, and people are still homeless by the thousands.
    She’s a far more attractive candidate than Trump for all the reasons you cite, but nothing would change under her Presidency either.
    The last President who dared challenge the real power behind the throne got assassinated for his troubles.
    But it is nice to dream.

    • David Ray says:

      I don’t give a rat’s ass who gets elected as long as we first figure out a way to repeal and replace the income tax act so that a new arm’s length body can review vet and vote on every dime of discretionary spending before it goes to parties and their cronies. I’ll see myself out now.

  4. Gyor says:

    Or you can go with someone actually knows what they are doing, like Bernie Sanders.

    If Oprah runs for the Democratic Nomination and so does The Rock (he’s mulling it), then who knows how many celebrities will run for the Presidential Nomination, it’ll look like celebrity appentice.

    Being a popular celebrity does not make someone qualified to be President, a healthy grasp of the issues, expirence in politics, familiarity with political systems, and solid policies are the qualifications.

    The Democracts should be look to end the mistake of electing a celebrity (Trump) not trying to replicate it.

    Beside Ophra has a good life, why do you hate her so much you’d wish a nightmare that is the American Presidency on her?

  5. Greyapple says:

    Her long history of promoting all manner of hucksters, snake oil salesmen, flimflams, quacks, kooks, and New Age nutters to her sizeable audience is more than enough reason to give me pause about supporting her to run for President. (Though if the choice is between her and Trump, I’d support her in a heartbeat).

    https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/oprah-presidential-case-marred-by-promotion-dr-oz-jenny-mccarthy-others.html

    Elizabeth Warren would be my top choice for the Dem 2020 ticket.

    • David Ray says:

      surely you’re not suggesting “the secret” was bs or the James Fry book was a lie. Lawdy I do declare, what is the world coming to.

  6. rww says:

    Just as I prefer professional doctors and lawyers I prefer professional politicians BUT as far as TV celebrities go at least her show actually discussed some important issues so she isn’t completely ignorant of the issues of the day.

  7. Christian says:

    One great speech does not a candidate make.

    Governing is different than campaigning and being the head of state/government is not the same as hosting a daytime talkshow. Obama had experience in the Senate and was a great speaker (still is). But even he had issues trying to get his legislative agenda passed (Obamacare is half the loaf it should have/was intended to be). Imagine if Oprah had as divided a Congress as Obama had (and given the massive Gerrymandering its likely that she would). She would be paralysed.

    No.

    Enough with TV celebrities (or any celebrity) running for office. The current occupant is proof of that. Enough with ‘populism’ and ‘populists’ (and thats what Oprah is – but its OK because she’s your populist).

    Time for experience and expertise to return to politics. The economic, environmental, and global issues that we and our children are facing need more than great speeches and nice, soothing words. They require the Machiavellian skill of a P.E.Trudeau (senior) who can steer real solutions through the legislative process. Sorry, but thats not Oprah.

    Unfortunately, beyond Joe Biden (who might just have the stuff – definitely the experience), I don’t see anyone compelling on the horizon.

  8. Matt says:

    “If not Oprah, then who?  Who is the Democratic alternative?”

    Michelle Obama?

    A Michelle for Pres., Oprah for VP ticket? An Oprah for Pres , Michelle for VP ticket?

    Michelle and Barack? Oprah and Barack? Given the VP is first in line to take over if something happens to the president, can someone who’s done their two terms as president even be a VP candidate?

  9. Miles Lunn says:

    She probably wouldn’t be my first choice for Democratic leader, but certainly I would cheer her on against Trump. Actually Trump is so awful that pretty much any opponent would be better than him. Not saying she doesn’t have a lot too offer, but being a celebrity and politician are not always one in the same

  10. Lawrence says:

    We are talking about a position that has the capability of causing the annihilation of our planet, and Oprah would be good because she is a humble billionaire who is a cordial and likable African-American female who has an Act named after her? Celebrity obsession disorder will be the end of us. It seems anyone with name recognition will do and that’s a desperate act. Well I’m going with this guy-“a little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants”. Unfortunately Bozo the Clown is deceased, but I’m sure there are many more around with that kind of genius. Imagine making balloon animals for folks at the United Nations or squirting water from a lapel flower. Yep, things are getting better….

  11. Gyor says:

    https://pagesix.com/2017/11/28/actress-harvey-used-oprah-and-naomi-to-seduce-me/

    There is also a picture of Oprah kissing Weinstein on the cheek. I think her plans for becoming President are already over.

    My sensible and practical choice for President is Bernie Sanders or Cassie Jaye.

  12. Charlie says:

    There’s basically two ways to look at it:

    1) Trump’s election should not suspend established standards of demanding some degree of policy and government comprehension with intelligent political insight. Just because Hilary lost, doesn’t mean someone like Hilary – with a wealth of experience and knowledge – should be avoided as a presidential candidate. Trump is not the new rule but the anomaly to the existing one.

    2) Post Trump, who the f*%# cares? Nothing matters anymore and if Trump can do it, then why not Oprah? She arguable possesses the very qualities that Trump pretends he does; she’s wealthy, a phenomenally successful business woman and a force of social change; she’s genuine and remarkably intelligent; she’s a powerful woman of colour and she is capable of empathy and compassion; and most importantly, widely popular.

    Democrats have a wide range of people they can choose; from Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris to Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks. Not a totally bad prospect.

    One thing is for sure, Trump’s election has fundamentally altered what the Presidency will be going into the future.

    • Gyor says:

      All of those are horrible choices, famous celebrities need not apply.

      • David Ray says:

        You know Stephen Miller the granny starver with the Roy Cohn eyes from California is gonna run for president so I say let the Rock run so we can watch him throw Herr Miller around the political ring before tossing him off of Trump Tower to the cheers of the DACA kids below. Yowzer.

      • Charlie says:

        Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris are celebrities?

        Why are they all horrible choices? You’re going to need to explain and justify your logic here, Gyor.

  13. Pipes says:

    Things are so bad the solution is here
    Matthew 24:30,33

    It seems to me it will take the above to solve the worlds problems. We are too far gone. I don’t think we can do it anymore. Think about what you are saying-multi millionaire celebrities have the geo political experience to maintain and develop global peace, harmony and can stop the decay of our climate and planet? You think a social consciousness and business acumen can deal with the international issues. If so Tom Waits would be a better candidate

  14. Pedant says:

    Alec Baldwin.

  15. Mezba says:

    I could point out all the reasons why this would be a terrible idea, but Mehdi Hassan of Al Jazeerah already has.

    https://theintercept.com/2018/01/08/oprah-winfrey-president-2020-trump/

    Democrats best hope would be people like Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Michelle Obama. Sad to say but Hillary was a terrible candidate.

  16. billg says:

    Interesting column in the Star today by Walkolm, Conrad Black has written much the same thing. The problem for the next Democratic candidate will be, how do you campaign on less jobs, more illegal immigration and more regulations. The current President is riding an economic wave that is not of his doing, but, his new tax policy could give the US economy a rocket booster push at just the right time, the next US election. Six states, same as last election. I just cant see how any Democratic candidate can walk into those six states and win if the US economy continues its upward path.

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